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Religious School

What We Are About

Our Religious School focuses on building a strong sense of Jewish values and responsibility by blending content with creativity to make education substantial and fun. Rooted in our Religious School is teaching your children an appreciation of their Jewish heritage and giving them a commitment to traditions and practices of Judaism. Our students learn to read Hebrew, celebrate the Jewish holidays and prepare for their Bar and Bat Mitzvah with a curriculum infused with art, music, celebration, food and interactive programs. Learning by doing is emphaized, whether it is celebrating Shabbat or exploring the concept of Tikkun Olam by becoming involved in mitzvah projects. Our hope is that your child begins their Jewish education in our Shorashim (kindergarten ) program and remains through Confirmation.

Grade Highlights

Shorashim – Kindergarten

Through song, dance, art and stories the children begin to identify the Hebrew alphabet, celebrate the holidays and learn about our heritage

Shorashim students learn to sing the four questions for Passover, and various blessings for Shabbat

Mitzvah Theme: Tzar Ba'alei hayyim (Compassion for Animals)

Kitah Alef – 1st grade

Kitah Alef students learn about the holidays and customs through Torah stories

Students learn to decode Hebrew and vowel recognition and sounds

Mitzvah Theme: Shamor v'Zachor at Yom ha-Shabbat (Shabbat)

Kitah Bet - 2nd Grade

Having mastered the basic elements of Hebrew reading, Kitah Bet students receive their own copy of the Siddur, our prayer book. Parents create individual covers for their child's siddur as part of the TBI Siddur Ceremony ritual

Kitah Bet students learn to recite all the Hanakkah blessing.

Mitzvah Theme: Hachnasat Orchim (Welcoming Guests)

Kitah Gimel – 3rd grade

The Kitah Gimel class culminates their year of study with a Havdalah service complete with performances and skits

Kitah Gimel students research their Hebrew names

Mitzvah Theme: Bal Taschit (Do not waste)

Kitah Dalet – 4th grade

For Kitah Dalet students the Torah comes to life as they learn about the matriachs and patriarchs and stories of our ancestors in Genesis

Kitah Dalet students are introduced to the elements of a Friday Night service in preparation for leading one each year

Mitzvah Theme: Bikur Cholim (Visiting the sick)

Kitah Hei – 5th grade

Kitah Hei students explore their family's Jewish geneology

Students delve into the study of Israel, choosing an Israeli location (a city, a place, etc) to research and present as a travelogue.

Mitzvah Theme: Keybood Z'kayim (Honoring the elderly)

Kitah Vav – 6th grade

Kitah Vav students focus on Kashrut customs, Holy Books, the Jewish take on friendship and the mitzvah of visiting the sick

Students particpate in a Kashrut scavenger hunt at the local supermarket

Mitzvah Theme: Sh'mirat Ha'Lashon (Guarding your tongue)

Kitah Zayin – 7th grade

Zayin students are heavily enmeshed in B'nei Mitzvah preparation and study

Kitah Zayin students are encouraged to particpate in our monthly Mostly Mitzvah cooking program to fulfill part of their B'nei mitzvah project.

Madrichim program

Teens (14-16yrs old) who graduated from our Religious School program, volunteer to help with Religious School classes on Sunday mornings. Madrichim work with the teachers to help mentor younger students by strengthening Hebrew reading and acting as positive role models.

TBI High

TBI High helps usher your teens into Jewish Adulthood. Students in Grades 8th, 9th and 10th are encouraged to participate in this weekly program (and yes pizza is served) under the guidance of Rabbi Mishkin and long–standing Religious school teacher, Jay Dickler. Our goals at TBI High are designed to stimulate Jewish learning while reinforcing Jewish education and values.

Our students do much of their learning in a chevruta (group discussion) environment. This allows them to formulate their own ideas and concepts, as well as reflect on the opinions of their peers. Recent chevruta topics have ranged from Jewish humor to kabbalah. The curriculum emphasizes the relevance of Jewish values and ethic’s in today’s world. Besides chevruta, other elements of the curriculum have recently included special programming, ranging from taking photos through a Jewish lens to attending a presentation by a former Knesset member.

Hebrew High culminates in a wonderful Confirmation Program, usually held during Shavuot.